Bolton: Man told partner of 30 years he would 'rip her throat out'

Matthew Openshaw repeatedly accused the woman of being unfaithful to him while he threw items at her and punched her.

Bolton Crown Court heard he was abusive to her between August 2021 and January this year.

One two separate occasions he caused her to fear violence and told her he would “rip her throat out.”

During this time he carried out three assaults.

Keith Jones, prosecuting, said: “In November 2022 she was at her home address.

“The defendant came round in the evening.

“She would say he had been taking drugs.

“He accused her of cheating on him.

“He punched her head three times with a closed fist of his right hand.

“She had a lump to her head and a cut.”

Four days later Openshaw struck again when he picked up items and threw them at her with force.

In January this year he attacked her again and forced her to cower with fear on the sofa.

Again he threw items at her.

The woman had told a friend if she ever sent a blank message to call the police.

She sent one of these and the police turned up and arrested Openshaw.

The 48-year-old appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting controlling and coercive behaviour and three assaults.

Nick Ross, defending, said he had served six months in custody since the incident.

He added: “He cannot apologise enough, he wants help.”

He asked for a community order “with teeth” to be imposed.

Judge Nicholas Clarke said: “I want you to understand the disapproval of this court in relation to domestic violence.

“My first thoughts are not with you but with the victim of your crimes.”

He described the assaults as “despicable and bullying behaviour.”

He added: “I feel you can be put under the supervision of a probation officer.”

He imposed a community order to last for a year and ordered Openshaw, from Sharman Street, Bolton, to carry out 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and undergo a drug treatment requirement for 12 months.